Grant Dungan: 2022 candidate for DuPage County Board District 2

Bio

Party: Republican

Office sought: DuPage County Board District 2

City: Elmhurst

Age: 36

Occupation: Financial Advisor

Previous offices held: None

Q&A

Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election for the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you?

Ever since I was in college, I've been active in the community and even helped other candidates. But, with crime on the rise and the drug problem worsening, I want to take a more hands-on approach and become a bigger part of the solution.

If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of any important initiatives you've led. If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board and what would your priority be?

I have a background in finance and marketing. I understand economics at a macro, micro, and environmental level. I know how municipal bonds work. But, my main priority is two-fold - bring federal tax dollars to District 2 for a Quick Response Team (QRT) while supporting Operation H.O.P.E. and Sheriff Mendrick's 'JUST of DuPage' to help combat the heroin and opioid epidemic that has devastated our community for over a decade.

Describe your position regarding the balance between county spending and revenues as it exists today, then describe the chief threats you see looming and how the county should deal with them.

Under the leadership of Dan Cronin, the county always passed a balanced budget. That needs to continue. Inflation is eating away at disposable income for families and businesses. Inflation is here to stay for the near future in a way that has not been seen in 40 years. We need to understand that it is going to take the Federal Reserve a long time to get a handle on it. The irresponsible spending in Springfield impacts the county budget. We have to plan accordingly. Ending cash bonds and the diminishing percentage of local

distribution funds are a constant threat to the budget and safety of DuPage. District 2 has lost out on federal grant opportunities to address the county's heroin and opioid crisis. The buck stops here.

How do you rate the county government on transparency and the public's access to records? If it's adequate, explain why. If you think improvements are needed, delineate them.

Every time I have submitted a F.O.I.A. request to DuPage County, I've received a response in a timely manner. That isn't always the case in local government. I was disappointed to find out the County Clerk missed out on $4,000,000 of revenue because our filing was not received in Springfield. Either something is rotten in Denmark or we have hit a new level of incompetence, which would be a fireable offense in any private sector job. Fortunately, there is a solution come November called an election.

What, if anything, should be done to improve automation and customer service in county offices? What steps should be taken to make that happen?

Providing individual filing and research opportunities for the residents of DuPage County without the need of a third party company at an additional fee.